RealNetworks announced RealDVD earlier this month as the first commercially available and legitimate method for ripping DVDs to computers and laptops. The software officially launched today, and while it has only been available for a few hours, already Hollywood studios have asked a federal court for damages and an injunction against sales of RealDVD.
According to the MPAA, which represents the largest film studios, the software’s ability to copy DVDs to a hard disk violates the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. RealNetworks, on the other hand, believes it has a strong case because its software does not break the DVD’s CSS encryption when copying it to the hard drive (and even adds a second layer of DRM) – of course, that won’t stop people from renting a movie, copying it and then returning the movie without ever paying for the unauthorized copy.
The software is now available for download from realdvd.com at an introductory price of only $30, or you could just search for one of many readily available free and paid tools that offer similar functionality.
Studios sue RealNetworks over RealDVD
Toshiba HD DVD Players Get Firmware Update [Firmware]
There is nothing wrong with your computer. Do not attempt to adjust the picture. You have not awaken in a crazy, alternate reality where HD DVD won the format war. But Toshiba has unrolled the firmware 4.0 update for its HD DVD players to improve playback issues like a pause bug. We'd make fun of Toshiba mercilessly for the update, but it's actually a classy move to support one's tech even when the market has declared it extinct. Nice work, Toshiba. [Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ] [Tag: ]
Alienware cans Hangar 18 HD media server before its time
It was under two years ago when we initially caught wind of Alienware's Hangar 18, and while the outfit seemed pretty bullish about the thing just 12 months ago at CEDIA, things have apparently went south. As of right now, the Hangar 18 website simply redirects back to the company's homepage, and CSRs are now informing inquiring consumers that the HTPC is simply no longer available for purchase. We know, this thing was overkill in every sense of the word, but it's not like that's stopping Niveus, Exceptional Innovation and all those other guys from making headway. So long, Hangar 18 -- we barely knew ya.
[Via: Engadget ] [Tag: alienware, hangar 18, Hangar18, htpc, kill, killed, kills, media pc, media server, MediaPc, MediaServer ]
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